Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Eleven - Preparation

It was my last week before giving birth. When I woke up, Kayne was not in bed. I moved to sit up, feeling a now-familiar pull near my hip bones when I moved. Round ligament pain was something that came with pregnancy – your uterus stretches and pulls against the ligaments that support it.

I also had an annoying pain in my lower back almost constantly. Sciatica. Sometimes, it even made my leg shoot with pain or numbness, making travel around the house increasingly difficult. Kayne had been staying home from work and his duties with the pack as much as he could to be with me.

The cramping was new. For a few days now, I had been having small cramps in my lower stomach. They were nothing major, but brought nerves and anticipation with them, as I knew that meant my body was getting close to labor.

I walked slowly around until I heard some noise from the small bedroom next to Kayne's. It was going to be the baby's nursery. I turned to look into the room to see Kayne hanging some of the pictures we picked for wall art.

The nursery was dressed in all grays and whites. We didn't know the gender of the baby, and wouldn't until it was born. A white crib sat against the wall, fitted with a grey sheet and a grey owl quilt draped over the bars. A single grey rabbit sat inside the crib, which would be removed when there was finally a baby occupying it. Across from the crib was a tall grey dresser, anchored to the wall to keep the baby from climbing on it when they had the ability. The dresser contained a few week's worth of gender-neutral items. We figured we would go to purchase more clothing later on, things we felt fit the baby's needs and personality.

There was a changing table against a third wall. It was stocked with cloth diapers and other baby essentials. In the middle of the room was a large glider chair with an ottoman. It had a nursing pillow sitting in it now, and a small table next to it. There was a wicker basket underneath the table filled with bottled water and snacks intended for me to have easy access to while nursing the baby in the night.

Grey curtains hung over the windows. Pictures of wolves, the moon and quotes hung on the walls.

Kayne finally noticed I was standing in the doorway and gave me a warm smile. He set his tools down and came over to place a hand on my stomach and kiss my forehead.

“Were you sure you didn't want a baby shower?” He asked.

“I think we have all we need, and I don't feel like celebrating.”

“Still caught up on Seth?”

“A little. I'm more surprised than anything, but of course I'm hurt. I'm happy, here, though. If he doesn't change his mind, that is a future I could live with.”

Kayne smiled brightly at me before answering. “I'm so glad to hear that. How are you feeling?”

“Some cramping. Sore as usual. I'm thinking any day now.” I said.

“Do you have any specific requests for labor? Do you want me to call anyone to be here? Your mom? Seth?” He asked. I sat down in the glider and he used the ladder as a make shift seat.

“To be honest... I'm not sure. I haven't thought about it. I usually am really good with pain, but I know this will be different. I think I'd like to be mostly left alone during and then see what I feel like after. I think having my mom here would be annoying, she would try to baby me and get too hands-on.” I said.

Wolves almost always gave birth at home without much intervention. There were very few doctors who were werewolves or knew how to treat them, so one would typically stay close by a birth to be available in case an emergency occurred, but didn't actually attend the birth otherwise so they could be available for other patients. I had seen plenty of births in my life. My mother was the Luna of my home pack, and as a teenager I had gone with her to lend a hand in plenty of births. Some pregnant women wanted experienced mothers present during their birth to help them identify an emergency and lend support. Others preferred to go it alone, and I preferred the latter. 

“Okay. I'll keep them updated with text messages during and then when you're ready or if you change your mind, I can have them come then. Did you want Brin or Crystal here? Anyone?” He offered.

“No, no one. I really want to be left alone during, I think. Just keep everyone updated and that way they stay available if I change my mind.”

“Will do. Any other requests? We can get chipped ice from the freezer, I've got fruit for smoothies to keep you going during, coconut water to keep you hydrated. I bought a few packs of extra wash cloths to wet and freeze and to heat in a crock pot so we can use those for pain relief. Extra towels to keep the baby warm. Do you need anything else?”

“I think we're covered.”

He came and leaned down, kissing my belly, “Okay, then, little one. We're ready when you are.”

The baby moved with his words. Every movement could be seen from outside my belly, making it look like I was carrying an alien rather than a baby.

I went through the dresser and found a few outfits to pull out and have ready.

It was bittersweet. I was ready to meet my baby, but was so going to miss them being inside my belly, safe from the world and always connected to me.